Sporty tour de force from Jaguar

Jaguar’s first premium sector estate car arrives on our roads towards the end of the year, having had its first outing as a support ­vehicle for the triumphant Team Sky in the Tour de France.

The XF Sportbrake will cost £2,000 more than the XF saloon, which puts the 160.7bhp 2.2 diesel at £31,940 in SE specification. There is also a new 197bhp version of this engine from £33,940 in luxury trim. With the standard 17-inch wheels both have CO2 of 135g/km and a quoted average of 55.4mpg.

Other engines include a three-litre diesel in 336.7bhp and 271bhp tune — the latter costing from £48,605 and combining a quoted 45mpg, 163g/km CO2 with 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds.

So, no petrol engines at the launch but the autumn update for the XF saloon has all the new diesels plus some tasty petrol models. Heading the XF saloon range is the XFR Speed Pack. The speed limiter is raised to 174mph, the 503bhp XFR Speed Pack has a revised five-litre supercharged V8 engine and gearbox calibration to match the increased top speed. A new front aero splitter and a new rear wing distinguish the model. It costs £65,380. Performance figures are awaited.

The XF saloon and Sportbrake have an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and stop-start ignition — improving emissions on the V6 Diesel engines by six per cent on the saloon.

Joining the saloon range is a new 3.0-litre ­supercharged 335bhp V6 petrol engine. The ­engine, which will be used in the new F-type, replaces the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8. It gives 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph, returning fuel economy figures of 30mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 224g/km of CO2. Priced from £47,550. XF saloon deliveries begin in September with the Sportbrake expected before December.

Also here in September is the 2013 version of the Xj limousine. It has the three-litre diesel and petrol engines and the high performance V8, plus the ZF gearbox with stop/start. There is recalibrated spring and damper setting as well as remapped damper software, offering enhanced ride isolation and passenger comfort. DAB audio is now fitted and a new premium sound system from Meridian features (replacing Bowers and Wilkins). Jaguar says it “gives significantly lower levels of harmonic distortion – meaning a lower power output is required to achieve the high levels of audio clarity.” «

Prices from £56,260 for the 47mpg, 159g 3-litre diesel to £91,735 for the 25mpg, 268g petrol V8. Long wheelbase models are an additional £4,000.